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President Yoweri Museveni has secured a decisive electoral victory with 72% of the vote, nearly matching his historic 1996 performance of 74%. The 81-year-old leader, who seized power in 1986, framed this outcome as validation of his four-decade rule and its delivery of political and economic stability. His campaign emphasized ambitious development targets, particularly Uganda’s transition to middle-income status by 2030, with nascent oil exports via a Tanzanian pipeline positioned as the economic cornerstone.

Opposition leader Bobi Wine, the charismatic former pop star, rejected the results as fraudulent while claiming to be in hiding following security force raids. His vote share declined significantly from 35% in 2021 to 25% despite Uganda’s predominantly youthful population. Wine alleges systematic electoral manipulation including violent suppression of rallies, though he has provided no substantiating evidence for ballot-stuffing claims.

Beyond the contested outcome, analysts identify deeper political transformations within Uganda’s power structures. The ruling National Resistance Movement’s internal elections in August 2025 revealed intense succession maneuvering, marked by factional bargaining and alleged bribery. This process signaled the rising influence of General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, the president’s son and army chief, who now oversees all security matters—a concentration of power with profound implications given Uganda’s history of military-political entanglement.

Presidential authority has gradually decentralized to a tight circle of relatives: Museveni’s daughter manages his schedule, his half-brother handles diplomatic relations, and his son-in-law shapes economic policy. This restructuring suggests Uganda’s future is increasingly directed by Museveni’s family, even without formal title changes. As veteran figures are sidelined, the regime appears focused more on succession planning than engaging with an opposition weakened by repression and co-option.

Political analyst Allan Kasujja notes that meaningful change in Uganda occurs gradually rather than through dramatic electoral shifts. The recent election thus represents less a transformative moment than a ritual legitimizing these underlying power transitions within the established political framework.

CONAKRY, Guinea — General Mamadi Doumbouya, who seized control of Guinea through a military coup in 2021, was formally sworn in as the nation’s president on Saturday. The ceremony took place at a newly constructed 55,000-seat stadium in Conakry’s suburbs, attended by African leaders and regional commission representatives.

Doumbouya’s inauguration follows his decisive victory in last year’s presidential election, a remarkable political turnaround given his initial pledge not to seek office. The electoral process occurred under a controversial new constitution that eliminated prohibitions against military leaders running for office while extending presidential terms from five to seven years.

During his address, the new president acknowledged “the immense responsibility entrusted to me by the Guinean people” while characterizing his mandate as “a commitment to address various governance challenges” rather than a personal honor.

The inauguration revealed deep divisions within Guinean society. Supporters like 28-year-old law student Rokiatou Kaba expressed optimism about Guinea’s international resurgence and economic prospects. However, skeptics including economics student Hassmiou Baldé dismissed the proceedings as “theater” and a “charade,” accusing Doumbouya of eliminating genuine opposition before the election.

Despite controlling substantial mineral wealth, Guinea faces significant developmental challenges. According to World Food Program data, approximately half of the country’s 15 million citizens live in poverty while experiencing record food insecurity.

The junta has prioritized the Simandou iron ore project, a predominantly Chinese-owned mining initiative at the world’s largest iron deposit, as central to economic revitalization. After decades of delays, production commenced late last year, with authorities anticipating thousands of new jobs and secondary investments in education and healthcare.

Guinea represents one of several West African nations experiencing military takeovers since 2020, where armed forces have capitalized on public dissatisfaction with security deterioration, economic underperformance, and contested elections.

MINNEAPOLIS — The Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement in Minnesota has ignited widespread protests and legal confrontations following the controversial detention of Garrison Gibson, a Liberian refugee. Gibson, who fled civil war as a child, was arrested twice within days despite having legal authorization to remain in the country under an order of supervision.

The escalation began on January 11 when federal officers used a battering ram to break down Gibson’s front door during an early morning operation. Video footage of the aggressive arrest quickly became a rallying point for protesters opposing immigration tactics in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Gibson, 38, faced deportation based on a 2008 drug conviction that had been previously dismissed.

In a dramatic legal turnaround, a judge ruled that immigration officials failed to provide adequate notice before revoking Gibson’s supervision status, leading to his temporary release. However, Gibson was taken back into custody during a routine check-in with immigration officials on Friday. His family alleged that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller personally ordered the re-arrest, a claim the White House vehemently denied.

Following another judicial intervention, Gibson was released but remains traumatized, stating he now fears leaving his home. His family spent $700 repairing the door damaged during the initial arrest, using a dumbbell to secure it against subfreezing temperatures in the interim.

The Department of Homeland Security defended its actions, with Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stating they would ‘continue to fight for the arrest, detention, and removal of aliens who have no right to be in this country.’ The agency labeled the reviewing judge an ‘activist judge’ attempting to obstruct deportation efforts.

Minnesota’s operation represents the administration’s largest immigration crackdown to date, involving over 2,000 federal officers and resulting in more than 2,500 arrests. The tactics have sparked daily protests in the liberal Twin Cities region, where officers have been documented pulling people from homes and vehicles while employing aggressive measures against demonstrators.

The tension intensified after immigration officers fatally shot Renee Good, a U.S. citizen and mother of three, during a January 7 confrontation. In response, a federal judge issued a Friday ruling prohibiting immigration officers from detaining or using tear gas against peaceful protesters who aren’t obstructing authorities, including those merely observing enforcement actions.